VCT Magazine Issue #46 (Print/Digital)
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In this Issue:
- 1965 Serro-Scotty Cotton Candy
- 1953 Silver Streak Clipper
- Trailerfest 2019 - White Wedding 1980's
- 1955 Aljoa - Free to Fantastic
- Audrey's Jingle in July
- 1964 Nomad/1966 Bee Line
- 1961 VW Bus Roadtrip (In 1966)
- Vintage Trailer Supply Community
- The Gulley Collection
- Buying Trends for 2020
- Retro Road Map for the Holidays
- 1972 Chinook Camper
- 1956 Airfloat Copper Cabana
- 1973 Shasta in Iowa
- USA Rally Calendar
November through most of February our travel schedule becomes far less demanding. We had a whirl-wind year restoring the Golden Caravan Airstream and spending 6 weeks with it on the road across the USA. We made a bunch of new friends on our journey including David, Mary and Jennifer Gulley. They purchased the Golden Caravan for their collection, along with another one-of-a-kind Airstream. In order to get these trailers to the Gulleys, I made two more trips to Arkansas!
I am looking forward to being home and getting caught up on projects that we have started, but not finished. This winter we plan to restore a 1961 Streamline that we started a couple of years ago. The project got pushed aside when we decided to build the 1955 Spartan Manor Museum. When the 1961 Golden Caravan Airstream landed in our lap the Streamline got put on the back burner again and even put up for sale. We had invested a fair amount of money that we weren’t willing to lose, so it didn't sell. We are grateful now as it is the perfect platform for our next build.
I typically like to stay as close to the original style as possible when restoring a trailer while not being afraid to add modern conveniences and touches when and where they won’t take away from the original aesthetics. I've had a couple of years to marinate on ideas for this trailer. I have been influenced by the “off grid” RV’s I saw at the RVIA show in Fontana, CA this October. With their matte finishes, roof racks, off-road lighting and other features to make an extended stay on the road (or off of it) more comfortable. Another influence on doing a fully self-contained build was our trip across the USA this summer. Using our Capri Camper we were able to pull off the road anywhere and camp incognito. Staying for free makes extended trips more flexible not to mention more affordable.
I am still pulling together ideas for lithium batteries, solar and the addition of holding tanks in a trailer that did not come with them originally. A hidden A/C and a workspace with enhanced Internet and cellular capabilities are also on the list. I plan to keep the comfortable twin bed layout and maintain an original feel to the interior but may take some liberties with the exterior.
Maybe we will build a “Stealthline” instead of a Streamline? Your thoughts, input and how-to ideas are welcome.
By Paul Lacitinola